Sue Ellen’s Post

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: our ExperienceMakers® are second to none, and the proof is in the pudding. Before we settle into the new year, we want to recognize our NAPeople for all their hard work in 2023 that — spoiler alert — led us to achieve historical profits through operations. From leasing to development to marketing and everything in between, it was another banner year for NAPA, and this one is going to be even better! Now without further ado, we present our 2023 Year in Review: https://lnkd.in/eZw5BA-a

You can't do it alone! Many times, career advancement comes down to who you know. My first job in management - my professor at the time introduced me to the CEO of the company. Thanks Clark Vitulli for believing in me and giving me my first big break! My current job - a bank president introduced me to my current leader. Starting my own company - the president of a consulting firm introduced me to the president of a company I eventually partnered with. My husband just changed jobs - he called the CEO of the place he wanted to work and that CEO said, "Perfect timing. We were looking for someone with your background." He started today! Do you see a theme here? Rarely can you do it alone. Build connections before you need them. Listen and invest in other people so that they will do the same for you when you need it. How to make these connections? Intentionally place yourself in situations where you are meeting other people that prioritize high-level connections, professional growth, and career advancement. Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee, C-Suite Insights, is a great way to get ROI on those priorities. You won't meet one senior level executive, you will meet 14. You won't meet just one person that is leadership-focused like you, you will meet 29. The last few seats remain for Cohort 2. Link to register in comments below. Program starts in Nashville on May 14th. 📷 Clark Vitulli/Deborah Watts

Are you finding the Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow? Did you know these legends related to St. Patrick's Day? I learned it yesterday and got some suddent reflections and link to Organizational Performance. I'm not Irish, but my kids were asked to come in green to kindergarten last Friday, to appreciate the coming St. Patrick. And the holiday is full of fun and joy, so it's pleasure to observe and figure out some pecularities. St. Patrick's Day, with its symbols of luck, growth, and transformation, shares more with organizational performance than one might think. Just as St. Patrick is said to have transformed Ireland, organizations are constantly undergoing transformations to achieve growth and success. 𝗟𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 The luck associated with St. Patrick's Day can be likened to the serendipitous opportunities organizations must seize to excel. However, as the saying goes, "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." It's the strategic planning and readiness of an organization that truly turns these opportunities into gold. 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗹 Spring, closely associated with St. Patrick's Day, symbolizes growth and renewal—core aspects of any organization aiming for high performance. Just as the season brings new life, organizations must continually nurture growth through innovation, learning, and development. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 St. Patrick's transformation of Ireland is legendary. Similarly, organizations strive to transform their market presence and leave a lasting legacy. This requires visionary leadership, a strong culture, and a commitment to values that drive positive change. 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 The communal spirit of St. Patrick's Day, where everyone comes together to celebrate, underscores the importance of unity and teamwork in achieving organizational goals. A cohesive team that shares a common purpose is more effective in navigating challenges and reaching performance milestones. Inspired by St. Patrick's Day, there is a desire to promote the luck, growth, and transformation in organizations. May we all find our pot of gold through strategic effort, collaboration, and a dash of serendipity. How did you celebrate St. Patrick's? Did you wear funny costume? Did you look for a rainbow? #StPatricksDay #highperformingteams #leadership

From day one to today, Kaylie has taken great strides in advancing her career at Swoon. Her unwavering dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence have propelled her to new heights, inspiring others along the way. Cheers to Kaylie's remarkable career journey at Swoon! Take a look at the inspiring narrative that led Kaylie to achieve remarkable milestones: ⚉How did your career journey begin in this field, and what steps have you taken to reach your current position? “I started in recruiting right out of college and was lucky enough to be referred by a Swooner in our San Diego office. My first position was a Professional Recruiter supporting our West Coast accounts; from there, I worked hard, performed as best I could, and often met with mentors to make an informed decision about where I wanted to take my career, ultimately landing in a leadership position.” ⚉What key milestones or achievements have you accomplished during your career that you are most proud of? “I am most proud of my consistency throughout my career at Swoon – immersing myself in each role, learning as much as possible about recruiting, and understanding first-hand the challenges that come with staffing has allowed me to relate to my team and be a stronger leader.” ⚉What advice would you give to someone who aspires to follow a similar career path? “Management is very different than any role I’ve held previously – and the most rewarding! If you have a drive to coach and teach others, then the management path is an excellent option for you. My advice would be to gather as much information about your industry and various roles at your company as you can before moving into a leadership position so that you understand how the business works at a high level. This will allow you to best support and advise your team as well as knowledgeably guide them through difficult situations.”

Here's to the goof-ups and mess-ups... Reflecting on Sunday night's Oscars, where Robert Downey Jr. snagged his first Oscar after a cinematic journey of over 50 years, I couldn't help but see a parallel with my own career in sales and marketing. With 30+ years in the game, I've had my share of missteps and learned lessons, much like Downey's storied path to success. Here's the thing: mistakes aren't just mishaps; they're the gritty sandpaper that smooths us into the polished professionals we become. Each slip-up in my career has been a step towards understanding what truly matters in servicing clients and delivering value. Downey joked about thanking his "terrible childhood" in his acceptance speech, and in a way, I thank my professional blunders. They've taught me resilience, empathy, and the fine art of bouncing back—a skillset as critical in Hollywood as it is in sales and marketing. So, here’s to the mess-ups, the goof-ups, and the outright failures! They’re not just stumbling blocks but stepping stones on our path to success. I’ve come to see each mistake as a lesson in disguise, shaping how I approach my work and interact with clients today. As we continue to navigate our careers, let's remember that it’s not about avoiding mistakes, but about learning from them and moving forward with a bit more wisdom and a lot more experience. #SalesAndMarketing #CareerJourney #LearningFromMistakes #Resilience #ClientService

Starting a business can feel like walking a tightrope, where every step—every decision—seems to have the weight of the world on it. Each new opportunity could either be a tremendous success or a potential pitfall. But as time passes and our businesses grow, we gain insight into our true capabilities and what our ventures can handle. We learn, adapt, and grow stronger. I'm curious to know: What was one challenge that initially seemed like a hill you could not climb, but now feels like just another part of the day? Share your experiences below and let's celebrate how far we've come together!

Story Time Tuesday: The Phil Jackson Effect Today, let's dive into the remarkable success story of Phil Jackson, a name synonymous with groundbreaking coaching and leadership. Phil Jackson's extraordinary journey in grooming legends like Michael Jordan is not just about basketball - it's about instilling the virtues of discipline, determination, and attention to detail. His daily philosophy of doing "the little things" transformed the Chicago Bulls into an unstoppable force. His unique ability to blend individual talents into a harmonious and winning team made Phil Jackson a legend. His emphasis on mindfulness and unity, both on and off the court, reshaped the landscape of team sports. Inspired by Jackson's legacy, Ryan Kattell has adopted this mentality model to pursue success. Ryan's approach echoes Jackson's teachings, emphasizing the power of focus, teamwork, and relentless improvement. Ryan Kattell's Stats (Year to Date) as of this post: #1 on the Sales Floor 145 Veteran Families Served $37.28 million in Loan Volume Funded Tenure: 30 months working at NewDay USA Like Phil Jackson, we all have the potential to lead and inspire those around us. It's about embracing the journey, committing to excellence, and always remembering that success lies in the details. Let's channel our inner Phil Jackson this week! What "little things" will you focus on to achieve greatness? Again, it's a great day to have a day. Let's get it! #LeadershipLessons #SuccessStories #PhilJackson #Teamwork #Determination #ContinuousImprovement #Inspiration

Every human is limitless in their unique way.  Their capacity to dream and set goals knows no bounds. And honestly, age is just a number, nothing more. We can observe this simple truth in the examples of: - Colonel Harland Sanders, who started franchising Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) at 65. - Sam Walton, who opened the first Walmart at 44, revolutionizing retail. - Arianna Huffington, who launched The Huffington Post at 54, becoming a media pioneer. And the list goes on… Inspirational, indeed! For these dreamers and go-getters, every year is another chapter, another chance: → To set lofty goals. → To pursue new dreams. → To redefine success. P.S. What’s your next dream? Share it below.

Learn from your leaders! If you had the opportunity to ask questions to your chief exec, what would they be?

Yesterday, the stars aligned.  Again. In business and in life, there are moments when the stars align, and everything becomes crystal clear. These moments of clarity have guided me through my career, shaping my journey and leading me to new heights. They helped me: • Start 7 businesses • Generate over $750 million in revenues • Work on 60+ Brand projects • Raise $30 million+ in capital Yesterday, I experienced another one of those transformative moments. The vision, the direction, and the purpose all came into sharp focus. While I can't share the details just yet, rest assured that something exciting is on the horizon. Stay tuned for the reveal when the time is right—this one is going to be special.